The latest issue of 91亚色鈥檚 nationally recognized, student-run literary magazine, Existere, features new fiction, non-fiction, art and poetry from a diverse array of Canadian literature鈥檚 rising stars. Available for purchase now at the 91亚色 Bookstore, Existere, vol. 43 includes work by Francesca Ekwuyasi, who was awarded the Writers鈥� Trust Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ2S+ Emerging Writers in 2022; acclaimed poet Ellen Chang-Richardson; Saeed Teebi, a finalist for the 2022 Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize; and Fiddlehead Poetry Book Prize winner Fawn Parker. The issue's cover was created by Kate Sinclair, lead designer at Penguin Random House Canada.

While previous issues of Existere relied on open calls for international writers, the latest issue presents a curated mix of local and national contributors. The new approach is the result of intentional editorial direction and decision-making by new faculty advisors 鈥� Matthew Bucemi and Christopher Morris, both assistant professors in the Writing Department 鈥� and new student editors currently enrolled in the Writing Department.

Bucemi, whose professional experience in publishing includes serving as a founding managing editor for Sutherland House, wanted to lead the magazine in this different direction. Having taken on the role of faculty advisor in Summer 2023, he leveraged his experience and connections to implement a new approach that prioritized experiential education and community engagement.

With Bucemi鈥檚 guidance, students reimagined the magazine鈥檚 mandate to emphasize dynamic art that reflects Canada鈥檚 equally dynamic communities. Students actively identified local and national artists and directly solicited submissions that fit the new mandate.

Morris, a published poet and former technical writer, also lent expertise to Existere鈥檚 student editors who implemented the magazine鈥檚 reimagined vision. 鈥淲ith Dr. Bucemi鈥檚 insights from his time as an editor and with student leaders who truly love art, literature and collaboration, Existere has quickly become a unique professional development opportunity for 91亚色 students, as shown by the high quality of this latest issue," said Morris.

Earlier this summer, the magazine's student leadership team hosted a launch party on 91亚色 U's Keele Campus to celebrate the release of the new issue. Held at Founders Assembly Hall, more than 50 guests were in attendance to hear readings from contributors and to help the magazine raise over $400 for future publications.

Reflecting on their achievement, the student leadership team expressed gratitude and pride. 鈥淲e know how difficult it can be to navigate school and Existere,鈥� they said, 鈥渆specially while we found our footing with the revamp鈥� We truly feel we鈥檝e made something amazing this year.鈥�

Existere was founded and first published at Vanier College in 1978. The journal is currently stewarded by 91亚色鈥檚 Writing Department as a venue to showcase emerging and established Canadian talent 鈥� and as a place for 91亚色 students to gain valuable, hands-on, pre-professional experience in editing and publication production.

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Chantel Thompson, a student success and academic advisor at 91亚色's Lassonde School of Engineering, is this year's recipient of the prestigious Lynda Tam Guiding Light & Legacy Award from the Advising Community of Practice and Peer Leader Community of Practice. The award recognizes Thompson's unwavering commitment to students through her creativity and excellence in academic advising.

"Receiving the Lynda Tam Award is extremely meaningful to me," said Thompson. "It means that the work that we do as advisors is important and impactful. It means that advisors like myself can be recognized for the incredible work that we do in supporting student success."

The annual award was established to honour Lynda Tam, who served as the first assistant dean of students in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. By shaping student services, advising and peer mentoring programs at 91亚色 U, Tam had a profound impact on student experience. She was also a founding co-chair of the Peer Leader Community of Practice. Through her creative and imaginative approach, Tam developed programs and initiatives that helped students excel and reach their academic, personal and professional goals. She exemplified student service excellence across the University and was a coach and a guiding light to students, staff and faculty.

Praised for her creativity and dedication, Thompson embodies many of Tam鈥檚 qualities. According to her nominators, she has significantly contributed to building an engaging and student-centred advising practice at Lassonde. She has been a driving force behind Lassonde鈥檚 innovative approach to University-wide pop-up advising fairs, incorporating activities such as trivia games, prizes and Faculty mascot appearances. The initiatives she has spearheaded, such as the student appreciation pancake breakfast and the new student handbook, have profoundly impacted students' academic journeys.

Thompson's nominators 鈥� all colleagues from Lassonde 鈥� feel strongly that this recognition is well deserved.

鈥淐hantel continuously demonstrates creativity and imagination in her work," said Caitlin Hicks, a student success and academic advisor at Lassonde. "Her passion and creativity are infectious, making her an inspiration to her colleagues and a valuable asset to our student community.鈥�

Althea Smikle-Brown, manager of student advising at Lassonde, had this to say: 鈥淐hantel鈥檚 dedication to student success is evident in her proactive approach and her ability to think outside the box. Her empathetic approach and genuine care have positively impacted countless students.鈥�

Lauren Hall, advising co-ordinator at Lassonde, added, 鈥淐hantel speaks up on behalf of students and her colleagues. She is committed to social justice and advocates for equality and inclusivity at every turn."鈥�

As part of the award, artwork was commissioned by Paria Shahverdi, a master鈥檚 student from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. The piece, named Path to Light, was inspired by Lynda鈥檚 essence 鈥� her warmth, grace and nurturing spirit 鈥� and symbolizes the tranquility she embodied and sought. 鈥淭his painting exemplifies the light, imagination and hope Lynda illuminated for those around her,鈥� said Karen MacKinnon, a member of the selection committee.

The award and accompanying artwork were presented to Thompson in a surprise meeting that included her colleagues, members of the selection committee and her nominators 鈥� Smikle-Brown, Hicks and Hall.

Reflecting on the importance of the award, and her role in student outcomes, Thompson had this to say: "The concept of 'student success' is complex and nuanced 鈥� encompassing more than just academic success," she said. "It's about a student's ability to put their mind to anything and see it through, regardless of the challenges and barriers they may encounter. This award shines a light on all those who contribute to transforming those complexities into all of the beautiful outcomes they may be."

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After 16 years of teaching Philippine folk dance to 91亚色 students in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, Professor Patrick Alcedo decided it was time to take students to the Southeast Asian nation to learn new dances in their original settings.

Alcedo鈥檚 Summer 2024 course, Philippine Folk Dance and Culture, immersed the students in the world of Philippine dance for three weeks, bringing them into contact with students and faculty from five universities, as well as a national dance troupe, as they learned new steps and movement sequences.

鈥淚t was time to offer a course in situ, and it鈥檚 especially meaningful this year because it鈥檚 the 75th anniversary of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations,鈥� said Alcedo. 鈥�91亚色 has an agreement with a consortium of five universities, and we visited all of them in three weeks. It was a whirlwind.鈥�

The course provided the 11 student participants with a mixture of studio work, lectures and performance opportunities. They learned dances from teachers at each of the universities and put on three recitals. They also learned about the cultural context of the different styles of dance and how they related to the country鈥檚 colonial past.

鈥淭his experience allowed me to integrate with other students, to learn from world-renowned dancers, and to learn the cultural history of folk dance and the Philippines,鈥� said fourth-year student Anna Paddon.

Students began their adventure at Philippine Women鈥檚 University in Manila, home to the Bayanihan 鈥� the national dance company of the Philippines. There, they learned six new dances in one week and also took a day trip to Ateneo de Manila, one of the country鈥檚 oldest universities.

Next came a visit to Bulacan State University, one of the country鈥檚 fastest-growing post-secondary institutions. 91亚色 U students joined Bulacan students for a screening of Alcedo鈥檚 documentary film, , which focuses on underprivileged dancers and the power of movement to change their lives. After the screening, the two groups were led to the university鈥檚 performance hall to dance together.

After heading back to Manila for a visit to Eastern University, a private school known for its art deco-style architecture, 91亚色 U students learned a new dance from local instructors while Alcedo taught a group of local students.

The next stop was the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, home to the dance program for at-risk youth featured in Alcedo鈥檚 documentary. There, the 91亚色 U class enjoyed a student performance followed by an Indigenous music class.

鈥淥ur students were able to see the power of dance to lift people from poverty with skills for a better future,鈥� Alcedo said.

To close out the trip, the class visited the University of the Philippines in Diliman. In addition to being Alcedo鈥檚 alma mater, it is also home to the internationally touring Filipiniana Dance Group, headed by Alcedo鈥檚 brother, Peter Alcedo Jr., who is also a dancer. The 91亚色 U students learned four new dances, including a northern Philippines folk dance based on research done by the Alcedo brothers.

Overall, the 91亚色 U students learned 15 new dances in four different Philippine styles: Filipinized Spanish dance; lowland Christian dance, seen in agricultural areas; Muslim Philippine dance, prevalent in the south of the country; and Cordillera dances from the north.

鈥淭his was the heart of the course 鈥� really experiencing the different ways Philippine folk dance is practised in the country,鈥� explained Alcedo. 鈥淭he plurality of practices demonstrates how people respond to colonialism and modernity in different ways鈥�. this transnational work enriches our dance program.鈥�

This type of summer program also fulfils one of the goals of the 91亚色 Academic Plan, Advancing Global Engagement, and puts the University鈥檚 Global Engagement Strategy into practice.

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Two groups of 91亚色 students travelled to Cuba this spring as part of a new Faculty of Health course exploring human rights, Cuban culture and the country鈥檚 health-care system. The course 鈥� Experience Cuba: Enacting the human right to health and health equity, taught by Jessica Vorstermans, an associate professor in the School of Health Policy & Management 鈥� marked the first simultaneous collaboration between 91亚色 U, the University of Holguin and the Medical University of Holguin. It is an offering the Faculty of Health hopes to strengthen and continue.

The 34 students in the Experience Cuba course were part of a cohort of more than 300 91亚色 students participating in faculty-led study abroad programs this spring and summer. They received funding support through 91亚色 International鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action Program, which is funded by the Government of Canada鈥檚 Global Skills Opportunity.

The course provided a look at how the Cuban health-care system flourishes amidst a landscape of economic crisis. The country has been under a United States trade embargo since 1962, resulting in a scarcity of many goods 鈥� including medicines and modern medical equipment. Nonetheless, many Cuban indicators of health are comparable to those in Canada, said Vorstermans.

鈥淐uba is an example of everything we want an equitable and universal system to look like, but in an environment of great scarcity,鈥� Vorstermans said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a system that prioritizes preventive and primary care.鈥�

Developed by Vorstermans and supported by Julie Hard, director of global and community partnerships in the Faculty of Health, the new course attracted so much interest that the Faculty chose to run two sessions back to back to accommodate more students.

While in Cuba, the students attended lectures about the health-care system at the partner universities and visited the neighbourhood network of clinics 鈥� the first stop for patients. They toured the medical school and learned about the curriculum, which also includes dentistry and traditional medicine.

It was an eye-opening experience for the students, who were housed with Cuban families in a Holguin neighbourhood, took the university bus to campus, and visited many cultural sites during their visit.

鈥淚t was a two-week snapshot of Cuban life,鈥� Hard said. 鈥淢ost Canadians think of Cuban resorts and beaches, but living in a home in a country coping with scarcity was very different. It was an immersive cultural experience that went way beyond textbooks and the travel brochures.鈥�

They learned about navigating fuel shortages and gained an appreciation for how hard people work to put food on the table. 鈥淭he state makes sure there is enough,鈥� said Hard, 鈥渂ut there isn鈥檛 the same selection to which we鈥檙e accustomed.鈥�

The students were amazed by the efficiency of the Cuban health-care system, and couldn鈥檛 help but draw comparisons to Canada鈥檚.

鈥淭he health care in Cuba is inclusive; it accommodates all types of people,鈥� said El Salvador-born Alexa Rios, a first-year health studies student. 鈥淓verything is egalitarian, and everyone gets the same care鈥�. If people with so few resources can create a welcoming system, why can鈥檛 we 鈥� with all of our opportunities 鈥� do the same?鈥�

Sophia Desiri, another first-year health studies student, was very impressed by the strong emphasis on preventive care and the use of local clinics as the first line of defence against illness, rather than emergency rooms.

鈥淭his course opened my eyes to what health care really means, which is community,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he Cuban system looks at patients as people, with feelings and needs.鈥�

Gurher Sidhu, a fourth-year global health student, noted the emphasis the Cuban system places on primary care, with integrated health-care teams that serve the local community at polyclinics.

鈥淭he system was designed logically, with common sense,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he family physicians, for example, live in their communities 鈥� so their patients are also their neighbours. If someone doesn鈥檛 show up for an appointment, they worry. I wonder how we could foster that commitment to care here.鈥�

Sidhu hopes to take more time to reflect on what she experienced and to consider how lessons learned could be applied within the Canadian context. Looking back at her journal 鈥� which she was required to write in while abroad 鈥� might offer some insights. At a Knowledge Mobilization Fair held last month at 91亚色 U, the students shared their takeaways with their families and other invited guests.

鈥淲e were very glad to partner with and support the Faculty of Health with the launch of the Experience Cuba summer abroad course this year,鈥� said Helen Balderama, director of global engagement and partnerships at 91亚色 International. 鈥淭he insights and observations that were shared by the health students precisely demonstrate the whole point of global learning (and study abroad) programs: to be exposed to new ideas and experiences, reflect on them, and be moved to action or further reflection.鈥�

As for Vorstermans and Hard, they plan to run the course again in 2025 and deepen their partnership with the two Cuban institutions.

鈥淭his was a transformative learning experience that was amazing to witness,鈥� Vorstermans says. 鈥淲e view these connections as the beginning of a long-term partnership that we co-create so it is reciprocal.鈥�

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The City of Ottawa has long recognized the pivotal role of skilful leadership in achieving its vision of prosperity, sustainability and resilience. For over a decade, 91亚色鈥檚 Schulich ExecEd has been a trusted partner, helping to equip Ottawa鈥檚 leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the increasingly complex challenges of municipal leadership. This past year, Schulich ExecEd delivered an updated version of its Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership program to 50 City of Ottawa managers.

Customized to meet the diverse needs of both new and seasoned leaders at the City of Ottawa, this 12-day learning program, which unfolded over 12 months, included three modules: Essentials of Municipal Leadership, Strategic Municipal Leadership and 鈥� the new addition 鈥� Future-proofing Municipalities.

鈥淭his program has challenged the participants to think about the type of leader they want to be 鈥� someone who encourages and develops people, who listens, who models integrity, who puts others first, and who acts with courage and care as we work together to build a truly great city,鈥� said Wendy Stephanson, city manager. 鈥淚t has also presented a wonderful opportunity for our leaders to broaden their skills and explore new and innovative ways of thinking.鈥�

The new module epitomizes the City of Ottawa鈥檚 forward-looking vision, challenging participants to embrace complexity, leverage data, and lead through change with strategic foresight and digital acumen.

The cohort-based learning experience also provided networking and collaboration opportunities among leaders across different departments, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and building collegial relationships to last beyond the program.

鈥淭he content was like a reassuring reality check,鈥� said one participant. 鈥淓veryone is facing similar struggles and challenges, but all we have to do is redefine how we look at these and give ourselves some leeway in terms of how we define success.鈥�

Last month, the City of Ottawa hosted a Celebration of Learning event, recognizing the 50 program participants for their dedication and accomplishments. With leaders from both the city and Schulich ExecEd in attendance, the celebration served as a testament to the transformative power of education and collaboration in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

鈥淚n an era of unprecedented uncertainty, the need for skilled and agile leaders in the public sector has never been more apparent,鈥� said Rami Mayer, executive director of Schulich ExecEd. 鈥淓xecEd鈥檚 Masters Certificate in Municipal Leadership program delves deep into the psychology of leadership, effective communication, cultures of innovation, political acuity and agile decision-making. Those are skills that municipal leaders of our future need to harness today to nurture their leadership strengths, and those of their teams, and deliver on their commitment to provide exceptional service to their communities.鈥�

Through strategic partnerships like this one, municipal professionals are being empowered with the skills and knowledge necessary to continue to shape the future of the communities they serve.

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When political science major Sara Harsini heard 91亚色 was hosting a Model European Union (EU) for university students nationwide, she signed up to participate and convinced her third-year classmate, Nawal Alhawari, to join her.

The Model EU, a simulation of the work done by the European governing body, was held this spring and organized by Heather MacRae, an associate professor in 91亚色 U鈥檚 Department of Politics. Sponsored by the Delegation of the European Commission in Canada, it brought 55 students from across the country to the Keele Campus to experience politics and diplomacy in action.

鈥淚t was an excellent experiential education exercise,鈥� MacRae said. 鈥淭he students had to do advance work, both reading and research, and then they put it into action. They learned a lot about how the EU works and a lot about climate change.鈥�

The event was the second of its kind to be held in Canada; last year, it was held in Ottawa. According to MacRae, the goal going forward is to have universities assume the role of hosting.

The Hungarian Consulate hosted the opening reception, an event that brought students and diplomats together to hear an opening speech by EU ambassador Melita Gabri膷 and to discuss the issues of the day. Many of the conversations centred around the European Green Deal 鈥� the EU climate law requiring a 55 per cent reduction of emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050 鈥� since it was the focus of the weekend鈥檚 sessions. The students were tasked with creating a resolution, addressing how they would achieve its goals.

Students worked in pairs to represent the governments of the 27 EU nations. Alhawari and Harsini chose to represent Austria, because they wanted to embody a nation that was forward thinking in its environmental policies. After researching green policies and Austria鈥檚 contribution to the EU, they were delighted to meet a representative from the Austrian Consulate at the reception.

鈥淚t was fantastic to meet him and discuss Austria鈥檚 green policies,鈥� said Harsini. 鈥淎 major part of our success came from his commentary and insights.鈥�

Gabriele Alexandru, head of the political, press and information section at the EU Delegation to Canada, gave the opening talk the following day, before the students got to work on their Green Deal resolutions. The event was entirely student run, with a pair from the University of Victoria acting as Chairs.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to hone so many skills, including negotiation, co-operation, public speaking and research,鈥� MacRae said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 an extra benefit getting to know people interested in similar issues from across the country. We鈥檙e building a community of European scholars.鈥�

This was the first time Alhawari and Harsini had participated in a simulation exercise. They thoroughly enjoyed the experience and are considering trying a Model United Nations simulation next.

鈥淲e always have a notion that government work takes too long, but this shed light on the fact that every nation鈥檚 voice had to be heard,鈥� said Harsini. 鈥淣ow, I understand why it takes time.鈥�

Added Alhawari, 鈥淭he actual Green Deal already exists, so we were just adding to it. I realized that if the real EU was able to forge an agreement, so could we.鈥�

MacRae liked the idea of giving students a sponsored opportunity to learn more about the EU.

鈥淭here is an EU study tour each summer, which our students can take part in, but it is expensive,鈥� she said. 鈥淪ince not all students can afford to go to Europe, we bring Europe to them.鈥�

J.J. McMurtry, dean of 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), believes the exercise was extremely valuable.

鈥淧articipating in opportunities such as the Model EU simulation is a vital component of experiential learning and internationalization at LA&PS,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese experiences enhance students鈥� understanding of global affairs, cultivate critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills. By actively participating in these activities, our students not only enrich their academic pursuits but also develop the necessary competencies to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world.鈥�

By giving students a greater understanding of European governance, MacRae is helping to fulfil the University Academic Plan's goal of advancing global engagement and bring its new Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy to life.

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91亚色鈥檚 summertime, faculty-led study abroad opportunities continue to be popular post-pandemic, and it鈥檚 not only 20-somethings who are taking advantage of the chance to broaden their cultural horizons. Mature students, too, are registering for courses that take them across the globe.

, the University鈥檚 hub for both international students and international education programs, supports Faculties and academic units in offering study abroad opportunities led by 91亚色 U course directors, and mature students are eager to participate.

Human geography PhD student F. Evnur Taran, for example, studied in Mexico City last month. Meanwhile, undergraduate student Paula Kaston is off to 91亚色 U鈥檚 in Costa Rica and Richard Smith has headed to China. None of them had studied abroad previously, but their life experiences made them confident that they would succeed in an unfamiliar environment.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited,鈥� says Taran. Called Free Trade, Unfree Labour and Environmental Justice in Continental North America, it looks at the current North American free trade agreement. Students in this intensive course, led by Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) Professor Anna Zalik, spend a week studying with peers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and reconvened the following week at 91亚色 U.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to be in a university in another country and see what their system is like,鈥� says Taran.

Taran loves both travelling and learning. Once her children were grown, she earned a second bachelor鈥檚 degree at Glendon College. Next came a master鈥檚 degree in international development studies, which led her to apply for the PhD program in human geography.

鈥淚鈥檓 living my second youth,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love to study and to be active, and I鈥檒l continue as long as life permits me.鈥�

Kaston, who is retired, is finishing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in environmental sustainability. She decided that a course at 91亚色 U鈥檚 EcoCampus would be a wonderful end to her undergraduate studies.

Years earlier, career opportunities lured Kaston away from her university studies, so she is fulfilling her long-term goal now by earning a degree. In fact, she has enjoyed the experience so much that she is continuing on to a master鈥檚 program in environmental science this fall.

鈥淓nvironmental sustainability has been a passion of mine for a long time,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd when I found the 91亚色 program, I decided to go full on.鈥�

Kaston registered for a course called Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Wellbeing, led by EUC professor and Las Nubes director Felipe Montoya. The course explores the ways Costa Rica is succeeding with sustainable development.

鈥淚 want to see what these initiatives that we read about really look like on the ground,鈥� Kaston says.

Smith, who retired from 91亚色 U last year as director of institutional planning, began taking language courses prior to retirement. This summer, he embarked on an intensive course in Mandarin 鈥� Intermediate Chinese Language and Culture in China: Shanghai as an International and Chinese Centre 鈥� taught by Assistant Professor Gang Pan in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. It brought him to China at the end of May.

鈥淚鈥檓 fascinated by how people in other countries do the same things in different and often surprising ways,鈥� he says.

To help support his trip, Smith received a $2,000 award from the Government of Canada鈥檚 Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program Global Skills Opportunity (GSO). The funding is meant to offset the cost of travel while increasing the participation of under-represented groups in international learning opportunities.

Smith and 10 of his classmates studied at Fudan University in Shanghai for a month, lived in the residences there and ate in the dining hall. Their course was intensive, with five hours of language classes daily, but the month-long session ended with a five-day trip to the cities of Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing, as well as the Shaolin monastery (the birthplace of Buddhism) and the countryside of Zhejiang Province to experience first-hand the culture, history and landscapes 鈥� and put their language skills to the ultimate test.

鈥淚鈥檝e been dropped into cities with a different language before,鈥� Smith says, 鈥渂ut here, it may be hard to find English speakers, so I鈥檒l pretty much have to rely on my Chinese.鈥�

Ashley Laracy, associate director of global learning for 91亚色 International, urges students of all ages to follow in the footsteps of these mature students.

鈥淔aculty-led study abroad programs create a supportive space for students to travel abroad with a group of their known peers,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to see the diversity of our student population reflected in our global learning programs. Our Global Engagement Strategy outlines 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to building and facilitating opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to our students. Global learning is lifelong learning.鈥�

This summer, 91亚色 has more than 300 students abroad as part of faculty-led programs. With the help of the GSO funding, the University has been able to increase its participation levels in summer study abroad initiatives, with more than 220 participating students receiving financial support towards their global learning.

For more information about 91亚色 faculty-led abroad opportunities, contact yuabroad@yorku.ca.

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Students from 91亚色 have an opportunity to collaborate with students from Japan鈥檚 Mukogawa Women鈥檚 University this month as the result of a (GNL) award granted to Lisa Sandlos, a contract faculty member in 91亚色 U鈥檚 School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies and the Faculty of Education, by the GNL team at 91亚色 International.

GNL is an approach to teaching and learning that enables people from different locations worldwide to work together on knowledge-making processes and research projects. It provides cross-cultural opportunities for students who might not have the chance to study abroad 鈥� a definite benefit in today鈥檚 global economy.

Sandlos will be pairing students in her summer course GSWS/DANC4528 3.0 鈥� Feminism, Dance and The Body: Performance, Movement and Transformation 鈥� with students in a course at Mukogawa Women鈥檚 University taught by Naoko Murakoshi, who offers a seminar focusing on somatic movement, education and dance. The two women studied together in a professional training program at the School of Toronto Dance Theatre (now called the Dance Arts Institute) and were faculty colleagues at 91亚色 U for several years before Murakoshi returned to teach in her native Japan.

Thanks to a Hyogo Overseas Research Network fellowship, Sandlos was able to travel to Japan this spring and plan the GNL exercise with Murakoshi in person.

鈥淏ecause we are considering bodies, movement and dance, it was helpful to be together in a physical space with her students,鈥� Sandlos said. 鈥淚 was there doing research, but I also taught five classes and gave a lecture on gender, sexuality and sexualization in competitive dance.鈥�

Murakoshi noted, 鈥淚t was good to have Lisa here so we could create the GNL plans together. The process is very important, and we wanted to share our thoughts.鈥�

The 91亚色 U course, which began at the end of June, is six weeks long. Sandlos introduced the GNL component during the second class, and provided another assignment option for students who preferred not to participate.

As part of the GNL component, both students in each pair will create a video 鈥渁bout any aspect of their identity that they wish to share,鈥� Sandlos said. 鈥淭hey will then observe their partner鈥檚 video and write a reflection on what they observe and what they have experienced. They will also reflect on what the body can tell us, especially through movement and dance.鈥�

Once the students begin the project, they will be able to work either asynchronously or synchronously, but the 13-hour time difference will likely play a part in their decisions.

Through this project, the two professors hope their students will gain an understanding of the cultural and social dimensions of movement.

鈥淚deas about the body are social and cultural and aren鈥檛 fixed,鈥� Sandlos said. 鈥淲hen we communicate cross-culturally, we realize that people collectively create their understanding about the world and the body. Movement is culturally coded and we need to understand the level of diversity that exists in order to communicate effectively.鈥�

Murakoshi noted that bodies are socially conditioned. In Eastern philosophy and Japanese culture, she explained, small gestures can carry great meaning.

鈥淭his exchange will help the students start to reveal their own biases and understand that how they perceive things is societal,鈥� said Murakoshi. 鈥淭his is revealed clearly when they exchange movement, and I want them to experience that with peers.鈥�

Sandlos hopes students will find the GNL project informative, not only as a cross-cultural exchange but as experiential education, which was her impetus for creating it.

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Reeta Roy, president and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation 鈥� an international non-governmental organization focused on empowering young Africans with education 鈥� offered several calls-to-action to Faculty of Education graduands to help shape the future of education.

鈥淵ou have an entire lifetime of impact ahead of you,鈥� Roy promised graduands during their June 17 convocation, as she began her address to them. 鈥淲hether you stand in front of the classroom or you get to decide what is taught in the classroom, whether you focus on expanding access to education or you set standards of education, you will make a difference in the lives of learners.鈥�

An advocate for the transformational power of education through her work at the Mastercard Foundation, Roy made several requests of graduands as they move ahead in their careers.

She urged them to lean into one of the most important qualities teachers can possess. 鈥淎s educators, one of the most important things you do 鈥� and you will do 鈥� is to recognize promise and talent in others, even before they may perceive it in themselves,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have the opportunity to truly see the whole person 鈥� not the boundaries and not the limitations around them.鈥�

That, she explained, can lead to something educators are uniquely positioned to do. 鈥淢ore than just see them, you will enable their passions, develop their confidence and help them believe in themselves so they can walk their own journeys and create their own opportunities,鈥� said Roy.

She also called upon graduands to transform the reality of who deserves an education, as she noted there are many who struggle to access learning due to poverty, conflict, distance, disability, lack of teachers, gender and more.

Roy noted she has seen 鈥� and worked to change 鈥� this directly, through her work with the Mastercard Foundation, which advances the development of educational opportunities for African youth and their families, and looks to empower 30 million young Africans by 2030 with the creation of educational and economic opportunities.

Roy delivered her final call to action in the form of an anecdote. She recounted a trip to Moosonee, a small town in northern Ontario sometimes referred to as 鈥渢he gateway to the Arctic.鈥� She was doing work there with the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority, training Indigenous young people to become health professionals who would help the larger medical system embody Indigenous knowledge and world views about what is healthy and what is wellness.

During her visit, she encountered 鈥� in person, for the first time 鈥� an ice road.

She learned that during winters, communities transform rivers, lakes and other bodies of water into ice that's strong enough to sustain trucks and cars transporting food, fuel and necessities to otherwise isolated communities. 鈥淚 was just stunned by the sophistication and the technical know-how to create these roads," Roy said. "The ice road reflected Indigenous technology based on traditional knowledge of living with the natural environment.鈥�

At the same time, she marvelled at the cutting-edge knowledge being integrated into the unique type of infrastructure. As climate change threatens those ice roads, making it hard to predict where dangerous cracks might form, she learned that university researchers are applying emerging technologies 鈥� like sensors and artificial intelligence 鈥� to create better predictive models that can identity where cracks and ridges may form.

The ice road 鈥� its past, present and future 鈥� reminded Roy of education. 鈥淭he ice road isn't just a bridge across waters," she said. "It's a bridge connecting communities and cultures. It鈥檚 a bridge connecting traditional knowledge with new forms of knowledge, connecting the past and the present.鈥�

In that realization, she found the lesson she wanted to impart on the Faculty of Education graduands she was addressing. 鈥淵ou can be that bridge,鈥� she urged. 鈥淏e that bridge.鈥�

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91亚色's Schulich ExecEd is partnering with Skills/Comp茅tences Canada (SCC), an organization dedicated to enhancing the involvement of youth and their communities in skilled trade and technology careers, to provide leadership training for the next generation of workers.

As part of the collaboration, Schulich ExecEd served as an education sponsor for this year's , a multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices, which was held in Quebec City last month. Schulich ExecEd also served as the official 2024 training partner of the Skills Canada National Alumni Committee, comprised of 13 youth leaders from across Canada who will receive critical training in the areas of strategic communications, business case development and coaching.

鈥淲e take pride in our collaboration with Skills/Comp茅tences Canada, serving as a sponsor and the official training partner of the National Alumni Committee for 2024," says Rami Mayer, executive director of Schulich ExecEd. "The programming provided goes beyond theoretical knowledge, focusing on cultivating leadership skills crucial for empowering the next generation of youth.鈥�

In an effort to bridge the gap between trade expertise and business acumen, Schulich ExecEd endeavours to equip future leaders with essential business skills such as management, leadership, finance, communications, data analytics and more. Through accelerated programming, Schulich ExecEd will provide tools to help ignite an entrepreneurial spirit, cultivate a resilient workforce and empower trades professionals to achieve desired growth levels in their respective fields.

"In today鈥檚 dynamic business landscape, young professionals are faced with multifaceted challenges that demand a comprehensive skill set," says Mayer. "Through this meaningful partnership, we aim to empower these talented youth members with the business acumen necessary to navigate the complexities of tomorrow鈥檚 job market."

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